MLADA
Ukrainian ethno-jazz singer
About singer
MLADA is the stage pseudonym of Ukrainian ethno-jazz singer Maryna Yurasova. The singer's style is defined as ethno-jazz, ethno-fusion, and ethno-pop. MLADA's creative manner combines the features of Ukrainian authentic folk singing with jazz and pop styles.
MLADA is known for her solo album "Oy vesna, vesna" (Oh Spring, Spring) which she released in 2005. The album is recognized as the first original Ukrainian ethno-jazz work, built on authentic material. The album presents an original vision of Ukrainian folklore in a synthesis with modern jazz musical trends. It entered rotation on radios in various countries and was recognized as one of the most interesting projects of contemporary Ukrainian music. The singer's work has been included in the "Encyclopedia of Modern Ukraine" (2006-2011).
Mlada is an ancient Slavic name that means "young." At its core, it symbolizes youth, freshness, spring, renewal, and vitality.
"This stage pseudonym emerged during the creation of the album 'Oh Spring, Spring,' inspired by the song "Sydyt mlada za stolychkom" (young woman “mlada” is sitting at a table). I liked the idea of releasing an album that included ancient songs, most of which are associated with spring themes under this spring-like name, Mlada."
Creation of the album "Oy vesna, vesna"
Serhii Tabunshchyk, MLADA, Pavlo Shepeta
"For a long time, being involved in music, I was interested in various styles, participated in festivals and different jazz projects. But then, naturally, the question arose: why not create something based on our Ukrainian folklore? After all, it is very deep, authentic, unique, and most importantly, closest to our hearts, it's our culture." - Mlada.
And this time came about a year after the first joint project with Pavlo Shepeta and Serhii Tabunshchyk - 'Capricorn’s Dreams' in 2002, which included jazz standards in their own versions.
At the end of 2003, we began discussing ideas for the future album, in which we decided to embody the idea of synthesizing Ukrainian ancient folk songs with contemporary jazz trends.
"When I was selecting folk songs for the album, I wanted to find something special, ancient, and profound to fully immerse myself in this magic, ethnic mysticism, and nature."
The album features seven ancient folk songs: a Transcarpathian song 'Oy zhal meni vechirochka, shcho ya y ne hulyala' (Oh, I regret the little evening that I haven't enjoyed) imbued with the typical spirit of mysticism and folk magic of this region, a well-known Cossack song 'Yikhav, yikhav kozak mistom' (A Cossack rode through the town), an ancient wedding song 'Oy sosonka, lіtom і zimoy zelena' (Oh, little pine, green in summer and winter), two spring songs - 'Oy vesna, vesna' (Oh, spring, spring) and 'Krokoveye koleso' (Stepping Wheel) and a carol 'Pryletila lastivochka' (A swallow flew in), which acquired a spring flavor due to the vitality and vividness of the composition created by Pavlo Shepeta. The image of the swallow transformed into a spring girl dreaming of her love and happy future. In this song, I made some changes to the lyrics, and Pavlo wrote a 'sket of the swallow' for the voice and flute, conveying the image of the spring girl-bird.
Also included is the song 'Sydyt Mlada za stolychkom', which became one of the most important in the project. Later, in 2006, we shot a music video for it with the well-known clip maker Viktor Priduvalov.
Serhii Tabunshchyk's composition 'Capricorn's Dreams,' which he created for our first eponymous jazz project, was included in the "Oy vesna, vesna" album as a bonus track."
Mlada: "In general, the sound of the album 'Oy vesna, vesna' leans towards the modern ECM jazz style. I believe this fusion with the Ukrainian melody is the most organic. It beautifully revealed the imagery of folk songs and spring songs included in the album, providing a sense of fullness with jazz romanticism and lightness, a pastel feel. In my opinion, it created the spring atmosphere of the album in the best possible way."
The star guest on 'Oy vesna, vesna' was the bandura player Roman Hrynkiv, who created an incredibly poignant intro for the album, transitioning into the song 'Oh, I regret the little evening that I haven't enjoyed,' as well as the composition 'Epilogue.'
The recording involved renowned Ukrainian jazz and ethno-fusion musicians: Volodymyr Shabaltas (guitar), Oleksiy Saranchyn (keyboards), Rodion Ivanov (keyboards), Denys Dudko (double bass), Serhii Tabunshchyk (drums, accordion, tabla), Oleksandr Lebedenko (bongos, percussion), Vitaliy Ivanov (saxophone), Mariya Khmeliova (flute), Serhii Okhrimchuk (electronic violin), Vladyslav Tretyak (Ukrainian ethnic percussion), Dmytro Marchenko (vibraphone), Yevdokym Reshetko (flute), DJ Architect, and a string quartet (Mariya Serebryakova - violin, Valentyna Polosina - violin, Vita Voronina - viola, Tetiana Yeromiyna - cello).
The album was recorded and mixed by sound engineer Ihor Kurylovych at Tretyakoff Production Studio (Kyiv).
The mastering of the album was done by Andrii Subbotin at Saturday Mastering Studio (Moscow).
The recording, mixing, and mastering of the album took place throughout 2004.
The release of 'Oh Spring, Spring' occurred on May 15, 2005.
Ukrainian Ethno Fantasy Music
"After the release of the album "Oy vesna, vesna", my main focus in creative work became the popularization and synthesis of Ukrainian folk songs with contemporary jazz and pop styles, which my partner, musician, and composer Serhii Tabunshchyk and I embodied in our collaboration. In 2007, we created a concert project titled 'Ukrainian Ethno-Fantasy Music' and recorded the album 'Holubka' (Dove) which remained unreleased. Stylistically, the project can be characterized as ethno-fusion, ethno-pop, and jazz-fusion compared to the lyrical-romantic ECM sound of "Oy vesna, vesna".
The project included not only folk and original songs by Serhii but also secular Ukrainian chants from the 17th century, which were later released as singles - 'Mezhy horamy rozshumilasia richka' (The river roared between the mountains) in 2008, 'Holubka' (Dove) in 2008, and 'Teche voda po dolyni' (The river flows in the valley) in 2014.
In 2009, MLADA became the laureate of the 1st prize at the famous Ukrainian festival "Chervona Ruta".
Paris
In March 2022, due to the full-scale war Russia waged against Ukraine, MLADA moved to Paris, where she began to collaborate with French musicians.
In France MLADA actively participates in concerts and events aimed at supporting Ukrainian art, promoting Ukrainian culture and folk art through the synthesis of modern styles with Ukrainian musical tradition. Her creativity contributes to the spread of Ukrainian music and its recognition as contemporary and relevant art on the international stage.
